How to Choose High-Quality Children’s Books
Choosing high-quality books for young children is essential to foster a love for reading and help support their development.
So what are the top things you should look for when searching for new children’s books?
Here are some key questions to consider:
1. First, Is it Age Appropriate?
Real talk here for a moment. There’s been a LOT of books being put in front of kids recently with themes (and titles, cringe) that are well beyond their years. It’s so important to consider the content, themes, and language and choose developmentally appropriate literature for your child.
So what can you do?
Read the title and back description first.
Next find inside previews of the book to understand its overall theme, feeling, and text.
Check out an example from a book in the Brudders series here.
Third, check out the book’s website to get an overview of its mission and purpose and see what other work the author and illustrator have produced.
For example with the Brudders Books mission, the author and illustrator (a husband-wife team) specifically wanted to help children in their early learning years (2 to 8 years old) build a strong foundation and moral compass that will help them guide them through challenges in life.
Kids enjoying their Brudders books
Their vision is a generation of mentally healthy and emotionally intelligent children. Plus, in a highly distracting and overstimulating world, the author and illustrator are passionate about kids learning through calming nature and enjoying our beautiful physical earth.
2. Does it Have Relatable Characters and Meaningful Themes?
Kids love a relatable character that they can go back to time and time again! Those warm and inviting characters help empower a child’s development and gives them special friendships. Look for books that address important themes, such as friendship, bravery, resilience, or problem-solving, that can spark discussions.
Brudders the Bear is an adorable character that children instantly connect with because they’ve shared similar feelings with him, good and bad. Kids love being part of his journey as he makes friends, finds gratitude, and builds his confidence because they too are going through the same things. Kids recognize they can learn through Brudders’ adventures.
3. Does it Have Read-Aloud Potential?
Have you ever been dragged through a read-aloud that was, how can I say it, torture for both the reader and the listener? With maybe a confusing and non-engaging storyline? For everyone’s enjoyment, choose books that are entertaining to read aloud, as this encourages bonding and enhances the reading experience. Books that are filled with illustrations, include humor, and send positive messages are great for young children.
What’s even more fun? Bringing the characters into real life! Children especially love when they can cuddle the main character. Our Plush Brudders Bear brings joy and delight to your little one’s reading time!
4. Is it a Part of a Series Or a Classic Book?
You might notice that one-and-done books may keep children interested for a short period of time. However, when there are multiple books featuring the same character, they are happy to sit and read book after book from that series together! Young children find comfort in a relatable character and love to read new and interesting stories about their adventures.
What’s more? Classic children’s literature or a beloved new series can provide quality content that stands the test of time.
Find Brudders the Bear in:
1. Brudders Learns How to Make Friends
Join Brudders in his debut story as he wakes up from his first hibernation season and learns what it takes to make friends for the very first time.
2. Brudders Learns The Joy of Saying Thank You
In the sequel to Brudders Learns How to Make Friends, Brudders embarks on a new adventure in the forest after a sudden sound awakens him! Hop into the carrot fields with Brudders where he meets the Bunny Sisters and experiences firsthand the joy he can bring to others through sharing and showing gratitude.
3. Brudders Learns the Power of Confidence
It's the Annual Forest Games and Brudders the bear finds himself facing an unexpected challenge. Feeling stuck and filled with worry, Brudders discovers a unique way to turn his self-doubt into confidence.
5. Does the Book Include Engaging Illustrations?
Here’s what we don’t like - illustrations that are LOUD, flat and leave children no room to imagine or think.
For young children, illustrations are crucial to keeping their attention and engagement.
Look for books with captivating illustrations that draw children in and enhance the story.
The Brudders’ series includes hand-drawn watercolor illustrations that are filled with hidden details. The illustrator’s focus is on creating children’s stories that spark rich, sensory-filled scenery in every child’s mind. He paints high-quality illustrations that take children on an adventure with every page turn.
What’s more? The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Kindergarten emphasize the importance of using illustrations to enhance understanding of texts.
Understanding Illustrations: Children are encouraged to explore how illustrations complement the text, helping them to visualize the story and understand characters, settings, and events.
Descriptive Skills: Students learn to articulate what they see in the illustrations and how those visuals enhance or clarify the narrative.
Brudders the Bear hears a sudden sound! From the book, Brudders Learns The Joy of Saying Thank You
6. Does the Book Include Repetitive Text and Rhyme?
Avoid books that are choppy or make you as an adult even confused. Instead, books with rhythmic language or repetitive phrases will help children with their language development and make reading fun. Each Brudders’ book includes rhyming text with a fun and easy rhythm.
Children love to use simple and engaging text to retell the story as they dive into the illustrations and learn more about the characters and the events.
7. Is it a Diverse and Inclusive Text?
It’s really hard to get into books that we just can’t relate to. Select books that reflect a variety of cultures, experiences, and perspectives, helping children understand and appreciate diversity.
In Brudders Learns How to Make Friends, Brudders discovers that not all the animals are just like him. In fact, they are very different indeed. Brudders learns that some animals/friends are outgoing while some are much quieter. He sees that everyone’s character and personalities are different. Brudders the Bear learns a great lesson of empathy, learning to consider others and respect their needs.
8. Are there Positive Reviews and/or Awards?
Consider books that have received awards or positive reviews from reputable sources.
Did you know that Brudders® Books won FIRST PLACE for the Purple Dragonfly Award for Best Illustrations? The series also won recommended ‘Get It’ ratings from Kirkus Reviews.
Awarded to Brudders® Books or Best Illustrations, 2022
Consult trusted lists from librarians, educators, or children’s literature experts for high-quality recommendations.
Read Aloud America offers great reading resources for families and teachers. Each year they publish a book list that includes different age groups and incredible books!
Here are some great book lists for young children:
By focusing on these factors, you can curate a collection of books that entertain, enrich young children's lives, and support their growth. I hope that helps!
